VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region

Franklin County HeartSing Choir Rehearsal
2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-26 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | First Congregational Church, 27 Church St, St. Albans, VT, 05478, United States
Singing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of volunteering, but joining a Hospice Choir can be a very rewarding and meaningful way to give back. Hospice Choirs offer song of healing and comfort at the bedside of hospice patients as a loving gift to those who need support at their most vulnerable time.
For more information, please contact Mary Pleasant, Hospice Volunteer Services Coordinator: mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org or 802-442-0540

Advance Directives Workshop: St. Albans
2026-04-13 11:00 - 13:00 | St Albans Senior Center, 75 Messenger Street, St. Albans City, VT, United States
What is it?A workshop focusing on answering questions about the Vermont Ethics Network’s Advance Directive Short Form. If the form is completed during the workshop, participants may upload the form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry for review and acceptance.

To review the form before the workshop go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org/forms for access.

Space is limited, advanced registration is required.

Who facilitates it?Wendy Scott

RSVP here.802-442-0540mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-04-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 3: Your Health Care Goals & What Matters to You
Explore quality of life, comfort, treatment goals, spiritual wishes, and care preferences.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520

Advance Directives Workshop: Richford
2026-04-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Arvin A Brown Public Library, 88 Main Street, Richford, VT, 05476, United States

Rutland Bereavement Group
2026-04-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Casella Conference Room, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT, 05701
Join us for a free bereavement support group facilitated by Braden Etcheson, Hospice Chaplin, at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

Bereavement Support groups offer participants a space to process their grief, share and receive helpful coping strategies and create a community with others walking a similar path.

Free and available to the community.

We also offer individual bereavement counseling, please contact Braden:
braden.etcheson@vnahsr.org | 802-855-4453

Advance Directive Workshop (Rutland)
2026-04-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
What is it?
A workshop focusing on answering questions about the Vermont Ethics Network’s Advance Directive Short Form. If the form is completed during the workshop, participants may upload the form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry for review and acceptance.

To review the form before the workshop go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org/forms.

Space is limited, advanced registration is required.

Who facilitates it? Nicole DeNoyers

Contact Nicole DeNoyers to sign up: 802.369.9440 | nicole.denoyers@vnahsr.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (Bennington)
2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Bennington Community Market, 239 Main Street, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Ed Keating: 802-445-5520 or ed.keating@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (Rutland)
2026-04-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Advance Directive 2-Hour Workshop: Understanding the Advance Directive
2026-04-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Bennington Free Library, 101 Silver Streret, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
A structured, step-by-step workshop reviewing each section of the Short Form Advance Directive. Learn what the form means, what decisions are involved, and how to begin completing it with confidence.

Free community workshops designed to help you complete a Short Form Advance Directive (VT Ethics Network) with clarity, confidence, and support. Each workshop is 2 hours in length.

–————
Facilitated by Ed Keating
End of Life, Grief & Bereavement Specialist
Hospice Volunteer
Bereavement Volunteer
RSVP to ed.keating@vnahsr.org 802-445-5520
Date: Saturday April 18, 2026 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Bennington Free Library, Rotary Room, 101 Silver St. Bennington VT 05201

Death, Dying, Danishes (Manchester)
2026-04-21 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-05-19 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-06-16 17:00 - 18:30 | Manchester Community Library, 138 Cemetery Avenue, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, United States
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere and share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the publics.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (N. Bennington)
2026-05-05 11:30 - 13:30, 2026-06-02 11:30 - 13:30 | Pangaea, 3 Prospect Street, N. Bennington, 05257, United States
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.orgVNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org

Hospice Volunteer Training - Rutland County
2026-05-08 08:30 - 16:30 | Fair Haven Public Library, 107 N. Main Street, Fair Haven, United States
Maybe you’ve had a personal experience with hospice and want to give back. Perhaps you are a student looking to complete community service hours or maybe you simply have a heart for caring. Hospice volunteers are special. They provide invaluable support and in-home care to patients and their families. No matter what your reason for choosing to help us, we’re eager to find a volunteer opportunity that fits with your interests, availability and talents. Join us for our next in-person training session. Preregistration is required.
There are many reasons why people choose to volunteer, and hospice volunteering can provide a meaningful way to give back and help others. Hospice volunteers offer important support and care to patients and their families. You can discuss your interests, availability, and talents with us at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, and we’ll help find a volunteer opportunity that suits you.
For more information, please call or email Mary.
802.442.0540
mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 4: Understanding Medical Treatment Choices
Plain-language explanations of CPR, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and other common treatments.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520

Hospice Volunteer Training - Rutland County
2026-05-29 09:00 - 16:00 | Brandon Free Library, 4 Franklin Street, Brandon, VT, United States

Hospice Volunteer Training - Bennington County
2026-06-05 08:00 - 16:00 | Solomon Wright Library, 97 Main Street, Pownal, United States

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-06-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 5: Organ Donation & After-Death Wishes
Discuss organ donation options, burial or cremation preferences, and how to record your wishes.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520
